Sustainability in crisis mode: How Austria's economy has to rethink!

Sustainability in crisis mode: How Austria's economy has to rethink!

Wien, Österreich - The second edition of Austrian Sustainability Summit took place on March 20 and 21, 2025 in the Imperial Riding School Vienna. Organized by Business Circle , the event gathered around 400 participants: inside from different industries. The aim was to discuss current developments and challenges in the field of sustainability.

Austria is faced with the longest economic doldrums since the Second World War, which is reflected in falling investments and increasing prices. However, the decline in emissions is not regarded as a success of climate policy, but as a result of economic shrinkage, as Leadersnet

specialist lectures and discussion rounds

During the conference, Gabriel Felbermayer from the WIFO presented an in -depth analysis of the economic situation. Moritz Mirascija from Business Circle underlined the importance of the conference as a platform for the exchange between stakeholders: inside from industry, science and politics. In a panel discussion, moderated by Gabriela-Maria Straka from RESPACT, the relevance of sustainability indicators in reporting was discussed.

Special attention was paid to the contributions by Eva-Maria Ségur-Cabanac (Baker McKenzie) and Christine Catasta (ÖBAG), who reported strategic opportunities in the context of ESG. Christian Gansch also equated companies with an orchestra and emphasized the need for persistence in sustainability.

The challenges of climate change were also a central topic: Winner Willi Bründlmayer made it clear how important forward -looking action is for agriculture. Jürgen Bauer von Gebrüder Weiss and Mark van Loon von Wienerberger talked about the necessary balance between sustainability and delivery loyalty as well as the importance of innovative materials.

innovations and future events

The "Changemaker Pitch-Forum" presented innovative business models such as Treely, Osapiens and Econetix. In another panel discussion, together with Daniel-Sebastian Mühlbach, the Austrian Post dealt with the fact that climate protection goes far beyond the reduction of CO₂ emissions.

The next Austrian Sustainability Summit is already planned for March 26 and 27, 2026, with the aim of discussing questions about the green transformation in business. The focus is on which measures have to take companies, politics and science in order to implement a credible transformation, so Business Circle .

driver of the transformation: ESG Trends 2025

The topics discussed are in the context of the current trends that are characterized by new technologies and stricter regulations. Higher CO₂ prices and various regulatory requirements require companies to invest in energy-efficient technologies in order not only to reduce costs, but also to reduce their emissions. From 2025, the circle of companies affected by Corporate Sustainability Reporting (CSRD) will also be expanded, which requires a more intensive examination of sustainability and reporting, such as the lbbw highlighted.

The challenges of the transformation require clear positioning of companies and extensive investments in a sustainable future. The focus is on topics such as technology, management and sustainable organizational structures. The creation of internal and external awareness will play a fundamental role in order to meet the requirements of EU taxonomy and reporting requirements.